BUNGLING robbers ended up empty-handed and possibly spattered with red dye after assaulting a security guard in a snatch and grab outside a bank.

One robber shoved a security guard aside before grabbing a container of cash he was about to deliver to the NatWest Bank in Amersham last Thursday.

He then got into a waiting grey getaway car, driven by a second man, which sped away from the Hill Avenue branch.

But the thieves escaped with nothing because the container was fitted with a red dye anti-snatch device which triggered when an attempt was made to open it.

The money also believed to be stained red was recovered from the container after it was dumped in the garden of the Boot and Slipper pub, Chesham Road, Amersham.

The H-reg Rover 214 was abandoned in the pub car park.

The security guard was left badly shaken but was uninjured in the attack.

The man who snatched the container is described as black, aged 25 to 30, 5ft 11in, of medium build with short cropped hair and was wearing dark clothing.

The driver of the vehicle was also a black man, aged about 30, of slim build with short dark cropped hair.

DC Gill Dean, of High Wycombe CID, said: "We appeal to anybody who was in the area at the time of the incident or who later saw the car being abandoned to get in touch with us.

"Any piece of information could be vital in helping to find these men."

Only last week, jeweller Tim Platten told the Free Press he was seriously considering hiring a security guard after a robbery at his shop, The Jewellery Workshop, in Old Amersham.

Mr Platten was threatened with a knife when he tackled robbers who made off with a £12,500 diamond ring.

Another robbery, during which a shop manager was threatened with a knife, occurred just five days after that at the Holland and Barrat store, Sycamore Road, Amersham.

Kate Spark, Thames Valley Police spokesman, said: "There have been a number of incidents in Amersham over the last few weeks.

"We are not linking them at this stage. Intensive investigations are under way."

Witnesses or anybody with information can contact High Wycombe CID on (01494) 736682 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111